And More Herbs....

Sandalwood

Santalum album

Description: A small evergreen tree which is parasitic the first seven years of its life.

Growing the plant: The plant is cultivated commercially in India and a few other acceptable climates.

Harvesting the plant: It is the heartwood and roots which become the wood and wood powder used in incenses; the oil is extracted from it.

Medical uses: The oil is effective for treating eczema, dandruff and razor rash. It is a good conditionerfor oily hair and skin.

Cautions: Do not take internally.

General recipe(s): For scalp conditions, mix 1 drop each of sandalwood, cedarwood, benzoin, lemongrass and rosemary oils into 2 tsp. of grapeseed oil. Massage onto scalp, rinse and dry hair normally. This can be done once a week.

Spiritual applications: In incenses for astral projection, exorcism, healing and health, protection, sun and moon work.

Correspondences: Air, Mercury.

Aromatherapy applications: Encourages serenity, peace, wisdom, insightfulness. Creates a sensual atmosphere and is also good for cystitis and urinary disorders.

Mundane uses: You can add a few drops to the melted wax of a candle, but be careful not to come in contact with the direct flame. This works as a diffuser.

Lore of the plant: It has been used in embalming in Ceylon from the ninth century.

It is an important incense for Eastern and now some Western religions.

Feverfew

Tanacetum parthenium (a.k.a. Midsummer daisy)

Description: A bushy, hardy perennial growing to 3' tall. Aromatic, bright green pinnate-lobed leaves and white daisy-like flowers with yellow centers blooming in early to midsummer. The cultivars, where pretty, are not as good for medical uses.

Growing the plant: Likes Dry, stoney soil and full sun to partial shade. Propogate by seeds, cuttings or root division in the spring.

Harvesting the plant: Pick the leaves spring through summer -- best before flowering. Fresh leaves are best, but they can be frozen. Drying negates the medical benefits.

Medical uses: Anti-inflammatory, vasodilatory, relaxant, digestive bitter, uterine stimulant. Helps with dizziness, tinnitus, painful periods, headaches and arthritis.

Cautions: Do not use if pregnant or taking blood thinners. The fresh leaves can cause mouth ulcers in sensitive people and contact with the leaves may cause dermatitis.

General recipe(s): Make a tincture with fresh leaves and take 1-2 tsp. three times a day.

"Migraine tea": 2 parts peppermint, 2 parts feverfew, 1 part rosemary. Infuse and steep 10 minutes.

An infusion of the leaves will soothe bites and stings.

Hint: an infusion of the herb alone is unpleasant: you can eat the fresh leaves between two slices of bread -- which also alleviates the problem of mouth ulcers.

Spiritual applications: None.

Aromatherapy applications: None.

Lore of the plant: The "parthenium" in the name comes from Plutarch's account of a worker who fell from a great height while laboring on the Parthenon. Use of the herb saved the man's life.

It makes a good moth repellent.

Catnip

Nepeta cataria (a.k.a. Catmint -- not to be confused with Catmint Nepeta mussinii)

Description: Hardy perennial; textured grey-green leaves with serrated edges, pale mauve flowers. Native to Europe, Asia, Africa and naturalized in America.

Growing the plant: Likes sun and moist, well drained soil. Propogates by cuttings in summer or root division in spring or fall.

Harvesting the plant: Leaves and flowering tips early summer to early fall.

Medical uses: carminative, anti-spasmodicm, diaphoretic, sedative, astringent. It's a traditional cold and flu remedy.

Cautions: Avoid if pregnant.

General recipe(s): Mild enough for use on children.

Spiritual applications: In incenses for happiness, love, harmony, tranquility.

Correspondences: Bast, air, Venus.

Aromatherapy applications: None found.

Lore of the plant: Chewing the root supposedly makes humans aggressive and was given to British hangmen for inspiration in carrying out their duties.

Of course, it drives kitties wild, though I have seen it produce "mean drunks" as easily as happy ones. Works on large cats (like lions) due to the volatile oils. I have also seen sources that claim cats don't eat catnip -- I know this to be untrue from personal experience. Fresh or dried, it's all kitty salad.

Catnip planted from seed is less likely to attract kitties into bouts of garden devastation.

It repels ants, fleas and beetles.

Chamomile

Chamaemelum nobile (a.k.a. Roman Chamomile or Garden Chamomile. Also applicable to German Chamomile Matricaria recutitia.

Description: Evergreen perennial with feathery leaves to 6". White daisy-like flowers with yellow disc centers on 1' stems.

Growing the plant: Likes light, sandy soil and sun. Propogates by seed and division of runners. As a companion to other plants in the garden, it improves their health.

Harvesting the plant: Flowers and leaves late spring to late summer after dew evaporates from them. Do not heat to dry.

Medical uses: Anti-spasmodic, carminative, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antispetic, vulnery, aromatic, bitter, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, nervine, sedative, tonic.

Cautions: Safe for children, but do not use in excessive amounts for anyone. May cause dermatitis.

General recipe(s): Gargle an infusion for sore throats and wash sore eyes.

Rinse blonde hair with an infusion to make it shiney.

An Use an infusion as a skin freshener for sensitive skin and an ointment for skin care and topical application to rashes.

Cleansing milk for normal to oily skin: 1/2 cup buttermilk, 2 tsp. lemon juice, 3 tsp. chamomile tisane. Beat together and store in the refrigerator. Apply to face and neck with cotton, avoiding eye areas.

Spiritual applications: None found.

Correspondences: Sun (at least).

Aromatherapy applications: German chamomile encourages communication, relaxation, empathy, patience; calms and soothes. Roman chamomile encourages serenity, spiritual awareness, inner peace, calmness, cooperation.

Mundane uses: Bathe a restless child or baby in a warm bath containing 1 drop of chamomile oil diluted in 1 tsp of vegetable oil or milk. It is soothing in adult baths, also.

Lore of the plant: Peter Rabbit's mom put him to bed after his trials in MacGregor's garden with a spot of chamomile tea.

Anglo Saxons considered it a sacred herb of Woden (as "maythen").

The Greeks name for it means "earth apple".

The Spanish flavor a sherry called manzanilla or "little apple" with it.

The Ancient Egyptians used it as a cure for fever.

Myrrh

Commiphora molmol (a.k.a. the oleo-gum resin known as bdellium)

Description: A small tree or shrub in East Africa and Arabia, 10 feet tall, with spiney branches and oval leaves.

Growing the plant: It tends to grow wild.

Harvesting the plant: The resin or gum is collected from the secretions produced by incisions into the plant's bark.

Medical uses: Anti-microbial, astringent, carminative, anti-catarrhal, expectorant, vulnery, tonic.

Cautions: None beyond the fact that I would take care in ingesting this substance.

General recipe(s): Make an infusion by pouring 1 cup of boiling water over 1-2 tsp. of powdered resin. Infuse 10-15 minutes and drink up to three times a day. Alternately, make a tincture and take 1-4 ml three times a day.

Use externally for healing wounds and abrasions.

Spiritual applications: Divination, protection, good luck, spell-breaking, wealth, endings, happiness, magic.

Correspondences: Sun, fire, Hathor.

Aromatherapy applications: encourages fortitude, courage, calm and acceptance.

Mundane uses: As a fixative for other scents.

Lore of the plant: In Christian mythology, the wise men brought it to the infant J.C.

in Ancient Egypt it was used in healing and in incense. It was burned at noon in the temples to enervate the gods. It was also an ingredient of the evening/healing incense kapet.

The ancient Greeks took myrrh ointment into battle to treat wounds.

Hatshepsut had trees brought back from her Punt expedition and planted at Djeser-djeseru.

Frankincense

Boswellia sacra (a.k.a. Olibanum)

Description: A deciduous tree 6-16 feet tall, papery bark, pinnate leaves and small green-white flowers.

Growing the plant: Grows wild in shallow, rocky soil.

Harvesting the plant: The gum is harvested from incisions made in the bark.

Medical uses: It increases the production of white blood cells, thus aiding in healing. The oil is said to help prevent wrinkles, otherwise it is also antiseptic.

Cautions: Do not take internally, but it is all right for mouth washes and douches.

General recipe(s):

Spiritual applications: Courage, exorcism, purification, spirituality, psychic protection.

Correspondences: Sun, Amun-re, fire, Ares, Leo.

Aromatherapy applications: Encourages emotional stability, enlightenment, resolution, acceptance.

Mundane uses: Used in commercial face creams as an anti-wrinkle agent.

Lore of the plant: Used in incenses by many ancient civilizations.

In Ancient Egypt it was burned in the morning temple rituals to wake up the gods. It was also charred to make the eye make-up kohl. It was found in a bowl in Tutankhamun's tomb and still good after 3500 years.

Another spice gifted to the Christian's baby J.C. by the three wise men. Used in Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches.

Pliny said it could negate hemlock poisoning.

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